PORTSMOUTH

On a recent Saturday morning, about 20 people gathered near Cavalier Manor to campaign for Sheriff Bill Watson in his bid for re-election.

Several deputies in civilian clothes canvassed the historically black neighborhood with promotional flyers that list the 12-year incumbent’s resume and tout his achievements.

“I HAVE KEPT ALL OF MY CAMPAIGN PROMISES,” it reads.

Two current and six former deputies interviewed by The Virginian-Pilot – many of whom asked not to be identified for fear of retribution – said they have felt pressure to campaign for Watson. And a flyer promoting the Oct. 21 canvassing event – circulated at work – gave a deadline to call the sheriff’s spokesman’s cellphone with the approximate “number of your people that will be available.”

When approached by Pilot reporters that day, two employees declined to comment on whether they were there willingly, and they summoned the spokesman, who stressed that the event was voluntary.

“He’s loved by his guys,” Capt. Lee Cherry said as a group canvassed homes near Taft and Riddick drives. He suggested it was Watson’s opponents who were spreading rumors about employees feeling pressure to campaign on his behalf. “It’s an absolute lie. It’s politics in Portsmouth.”

The deputies who spoke with The Pilot said they have been asked to campaign in plainclothes on their free time, and supervisors have approached them at work with invitations to off-hours campaign events for Watson.

“I think it’s unfair that you are forced to do something if you want your job,” one current deputy said. “That’s what you’ve got to do. That’s what they want you to do.”

The other current employee said some deputies participate in campaign events – passing out flyers, working the polls – because they worry about what might happen to their jobs if they don’t.

“I know the pressure is felt everywhere,” the second deputy said.

The source said a superior encouraged participation in campaign activities, saying that otherwise, “you might not be re-sworn in January.”

Chris Wells, a former sergeant in the department, said a superior told him during the 2013 Democratic primary that it was in his “best interest” to participate in Watson’s campaign. Wells said he took eight hours of vacation time on the primary Election Day to pass out flyers at a polling spot.

“I took leave, and I didn’t want to take off, but I was encouraged to take it off,” said Wells, who left the department over the summer after nearly 10 years of service. He now works on the campaign for one of Watson’s opponents, Michael Moore.

Sgt. Chris Wells of the Portsmouth Sheriff's Office patrols Interstate 264 in in the city on Jan. 7, 2013.

Amanda Lucier | The Virginian-Pilot

Derrick Jones, who left the Sheriff’s Office in 2012, shared similar concerns.

“They would always tell you that if you don’t go out and campaign for him, you could lose your job,” Jones said. “They would have, like, people running calls to deliver food and water, just to see who was on the station.”

A former deputy said employees were told they had to work polling stations and campaign for the sheriff while off duty.

“You had no choice,” she said. “You had to go out there.”

Another former employee said memos with information about working at polling locations would circulate in the department: “You felt pressure to go out there and work the polls.”

But not all former employees contacted by The Pilot agreed.

“He’s an excellent man,” said Sandra Ellis, one of two who dismissed the allegations, adding that she’s known the sheriff for 25 years. “He has always been fair. … I have never had a problem with him.”

Watson said he doesn’t approach employees about campaigning for him, and he does not keep track of who does or doesn’t participate. Asked whether there are repercussions for those who don’t campaign or donate, Watson said, “Absolutely not.”

“That’s a bunch of crap,” Watson said. “I don’t pressure anybody to do anything. … I want my employees to be able to come to work and do their job without any kind of pressure.”

State law bans public officials from coercing subordinates to contribute anything of value to a candidate. It also protects subordinates from retaliation for their political affiliations. Localities can’t prohibit employees from participating in campaigns while off duty and out of uniform.

Cherry grew agitated when asked about the Cavalier Manor flyer and accused the reporter of colluding with the Moore campaign. He boasted about an upcoming newspaper advertisement that he said would illustrate support from most employees.

The ad features group photos of uniformed deputies and other employees posing in front of the courthouse and other locations. The ad – which reads, “WE SUPPORT OUR SHERIFF!” – was paid for by the Employees of the Portsmouth Sheriff’s Office, a political action committee, and was “not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.”

“What do you want your story to be?” Cherry asked. “This is political witch hunting.”

Cherry has said no city phone lines, fax machines or email addresses are used to spread the word about the events, which also are open to civilians who support the sheriff. At the canvassing event, Col. Christopher Smiley stressed that employees were told they didn’t have to come. Those who did attend wore civilian clothing and drove personal vehicles.

“There’s no repercussions for not coming out,” Smiley said.

Another group campaigned last weekend outside Kroger Marketplace and Walmart on Frederick Boulevard. Cherry said turnout was “very good,” but declined to say how many people showed up.

Campaign laws aim to protect employees of elected officials from the chance of retaliation, said Benjamin Melusky, a political science assistant professor at Old Dominion University. That can come in the form of a stalled promotion, harassment or even termination.

“That position of power could intimidate the lower-level bureaucrats to engage in behavior that they may not otherwise,” Melusky said. “It has to do with intimidation and discrimination.”

Michael A. Moore, left, Bill Watson, center and Glenn Perry Sr.

Courtesy images

First elected in 2005, Watson is vying for his fourth term against two challengers. And for the first time, he’s running as an independent candidate in a largely Democratic, majority-black city.

Moore, who is black, is a community college instructor and a retired supervisor with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The other candidate is Glenn Perry Sr., a victim witness coordinator for the commonwealth’s attorney who is also black.

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